Analysis of prelamin A biogenesis reveals the nucleus to be a CaaX processing compartment

Mol Biol Cell. 2008 Dec;19(12):5398-408. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e08-07-0704. Epub 2008 Oct 15.

Abstract

Proteins establish and maintain a distinct intracellular localization by means of targeting, retention, and retrieval signals, ensuring most proteins reside predominantly in one cellular location. The enzymes involved in the maturation of lamin A present a challenge to this paradigm. Lamin A is first synthesized as a 74-kDa precursor, prelamin A, with a C-terminal CaaX motif and undergoes a series of posttranslational modifications including CaaX processing (farnesylation, aaX cleavage and carboxylmethylation), followed by endoproteolytic cleavage by Zmpste24. Failure to cleave prelamin A results in progeria and related premature aging disorders. Evidence suggests prelamin A is imported directly into the nucleus where it is processed. Paradoxically, the processing enzymes have been shown to reside in the cytosol (farnesyltransferase), or are ER membrane proteins (Zmpste24, Rce1, and Icmt) with their active sites facing the cytosol. Here we have reexamined the cellular site of prelamin A processing, and show that the mammalian and yeast processing enzymes Zmpste24 and Icmt exhibit a dual localization to the inner nuclear membrane, as well as the ER membrane. Our findings reveal the nucleus to be a physiologically relevant location for CaaX processing, and provide insight into the biology of a protein at the center of devastating progeroid diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / genetics
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Motifs*
  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Lamin Type A
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Metalloendopeptidases / genetics
  • Metalloendopeptidases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nuclear Envelope / metabolism
  • Nuclear Envelope / ultrastructure
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Methyltransferases / genetics
  • Protein Methyltransferases / metabolism
  • Protein Precursors / genetics
  • Protein Precursors / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Lamin Type A
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Protein Precursors
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • prelamin A
  • Protein Methyltransferases
  • Ste14 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases
  • p21(ras) farnesyl-protein transferase
  • Metalloendopeptidases
  • STE24 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Zmpste24 protein, mouse